Storing and filing devices



P 1959 M. w. G. BAHR 2,902,166

STORING AND FILING DEVICES Filed June 15, 1954 I s Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VENTOR.

BY/ZM -M I ATTORNEY Sept. 1, 1959 M. w. G. BAHR 2,902,166

' 'STORING AND FILING DEVICES Filed June 15, 1954 s Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR.

MURR/S W 5. HHHR j 'I'TOR NE Y P 1959 I v M. w s. BAHR 2,902,166

STORING AND FILING DEVICES Filed June 15, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN VENTOR.

. MAW/W5 M4 BAH/ BY 7 M a .m

United States Patent STORING AND FILING DEVICES Morris W. G. Bahr,Trenton, NJ.

Application June 15, 1954', Serial No. 436,935

'5 Claims. (Cl. 211- 11) This invention pertains to filing and storingdevices and particularly to such devices which are adjustable andcollapsible and adaptable to accommodate articles of various shapes andsizes.

Many types of filing devices are known at the present time. One suchdevice comprises a plurality of articlesupporting panels spaced apart byseparating members. Each of the panels and separating members has a pairof holes which, when the various parts are assembled, are arranged inalignment. The panels and separating members are held together by meansof long bolts which extend through the 'holes in the component parts ofthe device and which have a nut fastened thereto to maintain theassembled relationship. Ordinarily, the long bolts are of some standardlength and the overall length of the device is limited by the length ofthe bolts. In this construction then, it is comparatively difficult toincrease the length of the unit, since to do so would require thesubstitution of longer bolts for those originally provided. This wouldnecessitate the removal of the first bolts and rethreading of each ofthe components on the new, longer bolts. In addition, it is notconvenient to shorten the file since this would necessitate having thebolts threaded over substantially their entire lengths and even if thiswere done, if some of the component parts were removed, then portions ofthe bolts would remain projecting from the file, a feature which is bothunsightly and dangerous.

Another known desk-top file is an accordion-type device and may beexpanded and contracted in the manner of an accordion. One undesirablefeature of this device is that the spaces adapted to receive materialsto be filed are uniformly of the same size. This represents anuneconomical arrangement of filing space. Furthermore, the width ofthese spaces may not be readily varied to accommodate materials ofdifferent sizes and shapes. In addition, these files are ordinarily allof a specific length and may not be adjusted either by increasing ordecreasing the length. In addition, these filing devices lack rigidityand, as a result, they cannot be carried readily from place to placeunless caution is exercised in the carriage.

Accordingly, an important object of this invention is to provide afiling and storing device of new and improved form. Another object ofthe invention is to provide a filing and storing device adapted toaccommodate articles of various sizes and shapes.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a filing andstoring device which is collapsible and portable and readily adjustablein length.

A further object of this invention is to provide a desktop file which isrugged and portable and adjustable,

This and other objects of the invention are accomplished by theprovision of a filing and storing device which, in one embodiment,comprises a central base or separating member and a pair of side panelmembers adapted to be attached one to either side of said separatingmember. The separating member is in the form of a' Patented Sept. 1,1959 substantially C-shape channel comprising a base portion and two legportions. Each leg of the channel is provided with one or more openingsby means of which connection is made to the side panels. Each of theside panel members comprises a flat plate having a pair of substantiallyparallel plane surfaces. Each of the panel members is also provided withlocking tabs which project from each of the surfaces of the side panels.The locking tabs extend parallel to the surfaces of the side panelseither horizontally toward the end of the panels or vertically towardthe top and bottom of the panels. The panels are adapted to be lockedinto engagement with the central supporting member with the locking tabsinserted into the openings in the legs of the C-shape channel member.The spatial relationship of the openings and the locking Wings adaptedto be inserted therein is such that when locked in position, the endsand bottom of the panels are flush with the ends and bottom of the basemember. If desired, the length of the device may be increased by lockingauxiliary base members to the outside free surfaces of the side panelsand by connecting other side panels thereto.

According to another aspect of the invention, one of the panels may bereplaced by an adapter having the same width as the legs of the channelbase member and having projecting tabs like those of the side panelsadapted to be inserted into the openings in the legs of the channelmember. Another channel separating member is then connected to theadapter and, thus, a double size separating member is provided. Sidepanels are then attached to each of the channel separating members.

The invention is described in greater detail by reference to theaccompanying drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment of theinvention shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an exploded sectional view of a second embodiment of theinvention;

Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of a thirdembodiment of the invention;

Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of a fourth embodiment of theinvention; and

Figure 6 is a sectional view of a portion of a fifth embodiment of theinvention.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a first embodiment of the inventioncomprises a central base separating member 10 and a pair of side panels12 and 14- secured thereto. The base separating member comprises agenerally 0- shape metal channel member having a base portion 16 and twoleg portions 18 and 20 of the same thickness. Each leg portion 18 and 20is provided with a pair of generally rectangular openings 22 and 24,respectively, disposed approximately at each end of each leg. The pairsof openings 22 and 24- are symmetrically disposed about the center lineof each leg of the separating member 10.

The side panels 12 and 14 may be of metal, plastic or the like and arepreferably in the form of flat plates of any desired surface area whichis determined by the use to which the device is to be put. The panel 12has sub-- stantially plane parallel surfaces 26 and 28 and is providedwith a pair of locking tabs 30 spaced apart on the surface 26 andprojecting therefrom and extending parallel to surface 26 in the samedirection toward one end of the panel 12. The panel 12 has another pairof locking tabs 32 spaced apart on the surface 28 and extending parallelto the surface 28 in the direction opposite to the tabs 30 toward theother end of the panel 12.

The panel 14 having surfaces 34 and 36 is similarly provided with afirst pair of locking tabs 38 spaced apart and projecting from thesurface 36 and extending parallel thereto in one direction and a secondpair of locking tabs 40 spaced apart and projecting from the surface 36and extending parallel thereto in the opposite direction.

Each of the foregoing locking tabs is spaced from the surface of itsside panel by an amount substantially equal to the thickness of the legsof the separating member.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, in assembling the side panels 12 and 14with the base separating member 10 into an operative unit, the panel 12,for example, is locked into engagement with either the leg 18 or the leg29 of the member If) by either pair of locking tabs 30 or 32 dependingon the orientation of the panel. One pair of tabs, for example, 39 ispositioned within one pair of openings, for example, openings 24 in theleg 18 of the separating member 10 and the panel 12 and the separatingmember 19 are moved in opposite directions with respect to each otheruntil the leg 18 is locked between the tabs 39 and the surface 26 of thepanel. In this position, the ends of the panel 12 are flush with theends of the base separating member 10.

In similar fashion, the panel 14 is locked in engagement with the leg 20of the member 10 by means of either pair of tabs 38 or 4-9, depending onthe orientation, inserted and locked in the openings 22. Since thespaces between the tabs 3%, 32, 3 8 and 49 and the surfaces of the sidepanels 12 and 14 are equal substantially to the thickness of the legs 18and 20 of the member 10, the side panels are held in tight engagementwith the member H The locking tabs are spaced apart so that when thefiling unit is assembled, the tabs abut corresponding ends of theopenings in the legs of the C-shape member.

If it is desired to increase the length of the file unit shown in Figurel and comprising the separating member 16 and side panels 12 and 14,another base separating member may be secured to either or both pairs oftabs 32. and 38. The further side panels are secured to these addedseparating members. Thus the device may be lengthened indefinitely asdesired.

It is to be understood that the base separating members and the sidepanels may be of different materials and may be of substantially anydesired shape and size consonant with the principles of the invention.

In another embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 3, a filing unitcomprises a base separating member 42 consisting of a C-shape channelmember having a pair of generally rectangular openings 44; and 46 ineach leg thereof. A side panel 48 having two pairs of tabs 50 and 52 onopposite sides thereof is locked in place on one leg of the base member42 by means of one pair of tabs, for example, 5b positioned within theopenings 46.

An adapter 54, provided with two pairs of locking tabs 56 and 58 onopposite sides thereof, is locked in engagement with the base member 42by means of one pair of tabs, for example, tabs 58 inserted in theopenings 44. The adapter 54 is of the same "width as the legs of theseparating member 42 so that when the adapter is fastened to the member4'2, it lies flu h with the leg thereof on all edges. The locking tabs56 and 58 of the adapter are positioned symmetrically about thelongitudinal center line of the adapter so that the desired connectionmay be made by means of either pair of tabs.

After the adapter 54 has been locked in position, another baseseparating member 52 of any desired width and having pairs of openings44 and 46 in the legs thereof, is locked in engagement with the freepair of tabs 56 of the adapter 54 and finally another side panel 66 issecured to the separating member 60 by means of the appropriate lockingwings. Thus, the device shown in Fi ure 3 provides an exceptionally wideinter-panel space for accommodating large-size articles such asloose-leaf notebooks or the like.

In the device shown in Figure 3, the locking tabs are spaced from thesurfaces of the side panels and adapter an amount substantially equal tothe thickness of the legs of the separating members whereby a tight fitis achieved.

If desired, the locking tabs shown in Figtues l, 2, and 3 may beoriented in other than a horizontal direction and extending in thedirection of the ends of the side panels. For example, referring toFigure 4, a side panel 12 may be provided with two pairs of locking tabs30 and 32 extending vertically toward the top or bottom of the sidepanel. The side panel 12' is adapted to be employed with the C-shapeseparating member 16 having pairs of openings 22 and 24 in its legs. Thetabs 30 are positioned so that they abut corresponding ends of each ofthe openings 24. If desired, the panel 12' may be secured to the member16 by means of the tabs 32' inserted in the openings 22' and abuttingcorresponding ends thereof. Thus the panel 12' may be locked to eitherleg of the separating member 16' by either pair of tabs.

If desired, the base separating members and side panels of the inventionmay be provided with a single locking means. For example, referring toFigure 5, there is shown a portion of a separating member 68 comprisinga channel member of the above-described type having one extended opening76 in each leg. The openings 70 are symmetrically disposed about thehorizontal and vertical axes of the legs. For use with such a separatingmember, a side panel 74 has a single extended locking tab 76 on eachsurface (only one tab being shown) spaced from the surface of the panelby an amount substantially equal to the thickness of the legs of themember 68. The tab 76 is adapted to be inserted into one of the openings79 in the separating member 68 and locked in engagement therewith. Thetabs 76 may be connected to the panel 74 at either their top or bottomedges.

In the foregoing embodiments of the invention, the locking tabs andseparating members may be provided with auxiliary locking means. Forexample, referring to Figure 6, a side panel 14 is provided with lockingtabs 38 and 40' having nodular projections 78 and 80 respectively on theinner surfaces thereof. When the side panel is connected to a leg 18 ofa separating member, the nodular projection 78 is seated within anopening 80 in the leg 18 and the side panel 14 is thus more securelylocked in position. Each locking tab of each side panel of a filing unitmay thus be constructed and locked in position Whatever form of lockingtab is employed.

It is to be understood that, within the scope of the invention, thevarious parts of the filing devices described above may be varied insize and shape as desired. For example, as a representative variation,the pairs of locking tabs on a side panel may be oriented directlyopposite each other rather than staggered as shown, for example, inFigure 1. In addition, it is clear that the number of locking tabsemployed in any of the foregoing devices may be varied as desired.

What is claimed is:

1. A filing device comprising a base separating member in the form of aninverted channel having a central horizontal plate and a pair ofsubstantially parallel legs extending therefrom, said legs each having apair of spacedapart openings therein, a side panel connected to each ofsaid legs, each side panel having on one surface first and secondlocking tabs extending in the same direction and lying substantiallyparallel to said one surface of said panel, said first and secondlocking tabs being inserted in the openings in one of the legs of saidbase member and locked in engagement with said one leg, each side panelhaving on its opposite surface third and fourth locking tabs extendingin the opposite direction from said first and second locking tabs andadapted to be inserted into a leg of another base member whereby saidfiling device may be extended in length.

2. A filing device comprising a base separating member in the form of aninverted channel having a central horizontal plate and a pair ofsubstantially parallel legs depending therefrom, said legs each having apair of openings therein spaced apart and aligned on a first commonaxis, a side panel connected to each of said legs, each side panelhaving two large-area plane parallel surfaces, each side panel having onone surface first and second locking tabs spaced apart and aligned on asecond common axis, said first and second locking tabs extending in thesame direction and lying substantially parallel to said one surface ofsaid panel, said first and second locking tabs being inserted in theopenings in one of the legs of said base member and locked in engagementwith said one leg so that said first and second common axes aresubstantially coincident, each side panel having on its other surfacethird and fourth locking tabs spaced apart and aligned on said firstcommon axis, said third and fourth locking tabs being offset from saidfirst and second locking tabs and extending in the opposite directiontherefrom substantially parallel to said other surface of said panels,said third and fourth tabs being adapted to be inserted into openings ina leg of another base member whereby said filing device may be extendedin length.

3. A filing device comprising first and second base separating membersin the form of inverted channels each having a central portion and twoparallel legs depending therefrom, said legs each having a pair ofopenings therein spaced apart and aligned on a common axis, an adapterplate having the same area and shape as said legs and having two planeparallel surfaces, a first pair of locking tabs on one surface of saidadapter plate and extending in one direction, a second pair of lockingtabs on the other surface of said adapter plate and extending in theopposite direction, all of the locking tabs on said adapter plate beingaligned on a common axis, said first pair of locking tabs being insertedin one pair of openings in one leg of said first base separating member,said second pair of locking tabs being inserted in a pair of openings ina leg of said second base separating member whereby an interlockedunitary assembly is provided including said first and second basemembers separated by said adapter plate, the central portions of saidbase members being aligned in a common plane, a side panel connected toeach of the free legs of said first and second base members, each sidepanel having two plane parallel surfaces, a first pair of panel lockingtabs on one surface of each panel and extending in one direction andspaced apart and aligned on a common axis, said first pair of panellocking tabs being inserted in the openings in the said free legs ofsaid first base member and said second base member, a second pair ofpanel locking tabs on each of the other surfaces of said panels andextending in the opposite direction from said first pair of panellocking tabs, said second pair of panel locking tabs being adapted to besecured in openings in legs of other base members.

4. A filing device comprising an inverted generally C-shaped baseseparating member having a generally flat central portion positionedhorizontally and a pair of flat plate-like legs parallel to each otherand perpendicular to said central portion and depending therefrom, eachleg having first and second openings spaced apart and positioned onenear each end of a leg, said openings having a common first horizontalaxis oriented between the edges of the leg, a side panel connected toeach of said legs, each side panel having on one surface a first pair offirst and second locking tabs aligned on a horizontal axis and extendingin the same direction and lying substantially parallel to said onesurface of said panel, said first and second locking tabs being insertedin the openings in one of the legs of said base member and locked inengagement with said one leg, each side panel having on its othersurface a second pair of third and fourth locking tabs extending in theopposite direction from said first and second locking tabs and adaptedto be inserted into a leg of another base member whereby said filingdevice may be extended in length, said third and fourth tabs beingspaced apart substantially the same distance as said first and secondtabs, said third and fourth tabs being offset in the same direction fromsaid first and second tabs and aligned on a horizontal axis which issubstantially coincident with the horizontal axis of said first andsecond tabs, each side panel thus being able to be secured to a leg bymeans of either pair of locking tabs.

5. The device defined in claim 4 wherein the first and third tabs areadjacent to each other, the second and fourth tabs are adjacent to eachother, said second and third locking tabs being offset from said firstand fourth tabs, all of said tabs and said openings in said legs beingaligned, the spacing between the first and third tabs and between thesecond and fourth tabs being such that either set of tabs may beinserted in the openings in a leg and thereby locked in engagement withthe leg so that the panels are completely interchangeable with eachother and may be attached to a leg with either pair of tabs.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,076,115 Harrison Oct. 21, 1913 1,449,195 Ross Mar. 20, 1923 1,678,166Repay July 24, 1928 2,086,508 Mueller July 6, 1937 2,190,004 Baker Feb.13, 1940 2,304,020 Regenhardt Dec. 1, 1942 2,380,678 Sengbusch July 31,1945 2,386,343 Regenhardt Oct. 9, 1945 2,537,565 Wolters Jan. 9, 1951

